Thai Govt calls for more detail on online lottery project.

More detail is needed on a proposed Internet lottery project before the Thai government can give its approval, reports the Bangkok Post this week.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has asked Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and the Government Lottery Office to clarify certain points of the proposed lottery which were found to be unclear.

It appears that Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit, who supervises the GLO, approved the project to install lottery vending machines and forwarded the plan to his minister for the final imprimatur, but the minister has put a hold on the project pending further information.

In 2005 the GLO hired Loxley GTECH Technology - a joint venture between Loxley and Gtech of the US - to advise on the introduction of an online lottery service.

The Prime Minister's office told the Bangkok Post that government wanted to make sure the arrangements to share the online lottery revenue were in line with the Government Lottery Office Act of 1974. The government must weigh the benefits against the possible social problems which the lottery might create, said a spokesman. It also needs to be sure it will not breach its contract with the company.

''If we want to proceed, we must clear all doubts surrounding the project,'' the Prime Minister's spokesman said.

The online lottery could eat into the popularity of the illegal lottery and boost the state's income. However, the prime minister also wanted to be sure that gambling did not become a national obsession, and that measures were in place to tackle possible adverse consequences.The Surayud Chulanont government halted the lottery operation launched by the Thaksin Shinawatra government because the revenue split did not comply with the law.

Leander In deal with SkyVegas - 02/07/2012 : Leander Games has agreed to create and develop an exclusive version of the games which will incorporate and reflect the Sky Vegas brand.

ON-PREMISES REMOTE GAMBLING FOR NEW JERSEY? - 02/07/2012 : The publication New Jersey.com reports that state politicians keen to boost the waning fortunes of Atlantic City land casinos are to discuss following the example of Nevada by permitting remote on-premises gambling using mobile handheld devices.

POKERSTARS DROPS MACAU MILLIONS - 02/07/2012 : The postponement of the Macau Millions reported recently has been confirmed by the Pokerstars blog, which announced this week that the project will cease next month for an indefinite period.

RECORD PRICE PAID FOR CARD PLAYER ART - 02/07/2012 : One of a series of five Cezanne impressions of card players painted in the 1890's has changed hands for a record $250 000, reports the publication Vanity Fair.

Vadzim Kursevich wins EPT Deauville main event - 02/07/2012 : After five gruelling days of top level poker and a 12 hour final table, the 24-year-old Belarusian poker ace Vadzim Kursevich has emerged as the winner of the EPT Deauville main event, claiming the top prize of Euro 875 000.